Artist’s Garden at Temple station to close after Places for London refuses licence

The Artist’s Garden, a rooftop sculpture park at Temple Underground station dedicated to works by women artists, will close on 1 October 2026. Places for London, the property arm of Transport for London, has refused to renew the licence held by arts charity theCOLAB, which has managed the site since 2021.

The garden was established by curator Claire Mander after she discovered the disused terrace a decade ago. It remains the only public sculpture garden in the world devoted exclusively to works by women. Mander told the Guardian she fears the space could be handed to a private developer, citing interest from Soho House founder Nick Jones in leasing parts of the station.

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Why the garden is closing

A spokesperson for Places for London said the terrace requires "essential repair and safety works" that necessitate clearing the site. The organisation added that the space will remain publicly accessible and that alternative locations for the garden are being explored in consultation with Westminster City Council.

Mander disputes the scale of the repairs. She told the Guardian the works relate to the vacant commercial property below the terrace, not the garden itself. No plans for a large-scale overhaul of the terrace have been publicly disclosed. The adjoining commercial space is leased by Vinyl Factory, a cultural operator active in the area.

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Campaign to save the garden

A petition to save the Artist’s Garden has launched, arguing the closure represents a loss of public land to private interests. The petition states: "This is bigger than one project. It is about keeping public land for the public. It is about private landowners not profiting from cultural and community place making."

This is bigger than one project. It is about keeping public land for the public. It is about women being seen, heard and represented in the fabric of our city.

Artist’s Garden petition

The campaign has also launched a crowdfunder to raise £38,000. The funds will support legal action, including an application for a High Court Declaration, and cover campaign costs. As of 4 August 2026, the amount raised is unclear.

What happens next

TheCOLAB must vacate the terrace by 1 October 2026. Places for London has stated it will work with Westminster City Council and local stakeholders to identify an alternative site for the Artist’s Garden. Any future proposals for the terrace will require approval from Transport for London and Places for London, with a commitment to maintain public access.

The campaign to save the garden continues, with supporters urged to sign the petition and contribute to the crowdfunder. The outcome of the legal action, if pursued, will determine whether the garden can remain in its current location beyond the licence expiry date.